59.

The island of Cyclades, where Admiral Montrosa’s castle was located, was relatively distant from the Villbron Sea region, where Rosetta had mostly stayed, despite both being in the east. The eastern region was lined with thousands of small islands and uninhabited islets along its coastline. And every single one of these islands had abysmal law enforcement. The port of Barna, which served as Toulon’s main anchorage, was among the most dangerous and filthy crime-ridden areas.

With criminals and raiders swarming everywhere, the methods pirates used to hide their stolen treasures had evolved over time. In this day and age, digging a hole in the ground to bury treasure would mark you as the biggest fool alive.

The safest way for pirates to protect their wealth was to join the Maritime League and deposit their money in maritime banks. It was a ruthless system that charged both membership and usage fees, but for pirates who lacked official recognition from the Empire, having assets that “would remain even if their ship sank” was a godsend.

Beyond the Villbron Sea, notorious for its rapidly shifting currents, lay a small island the pirates called “The Grave.” Though called an island, it was in fact more like a massive artificial island cobbled together from wrecked pirate ships.

And right on that Grave were both the Maritime League and the bank. That meant one thing: whether it was Rosetta’s inheritance or Nick’s, anyone seeking it would inevitably have to approach this “Grave.”

The problem was how to get there…

In truth, the lives of noblewomen were akin to being trapped in a gilded cage. This was regardless of how kind the Duke and Duchess of Montrosa were, or how devoted Cardier was.

“I apologize, but you cannot leave without an escort of knights.”

Rosetta glared fiercely at the two navy soldiers who stood before her, cross-sabers in hand. The sailors flinched at her menacing aura but refused to yield. Being disliked by the young duchess was still better than letting her get killed.

Just as the people of the east revered the admiral, pirates despised the navy, and family members were sometimes excellent tools for revenge. So yes, this overprotectiveness was understandable. Truly, she understood it… yet that didn’t stop her from feeling annoyed.

“Milady.”

Rosetta, pacing restlessly around the room, jerked her head up at the knock. It was Anna.

“How did it go?”

Anna glanced nervously around the room before pulling out a grimy leather pouch from under her apron.

“At least I managed to exchange some of it for money.”

Rosetta let out a sigh of relief and opened the pouch. Though Anna sounded disappointed, this was indeed a modest success. Most of Rosetta’s jewelry had such unique craftsmanship that selling it openly was impossible.

So she had carefully removed a handful of gems from an old dress she’d worn years ago—making their origins untraceable. Still, finding merchants or pawnshops willing to exchange such obviously “shady” gems for cash was no easy task.

“Do you really have to… build up secret funds like this?”

Without giving a detailed explanation, Anna probably saw this as nothing more than a lady-in-waiting’s petty secret game. Rosetta shrugged and tossed a platinum coin from the leather pouch to Anna. Anna quickly spread her apron to catch it.

“That’s for your trouble.”

“You really didn’t need to give me this…”

“Save your thanks and wipe the drool off your face.”

Anna playfully wiped her mouth with her sleeve and laughed.

“You won’t be asking for anything else, will you?”

“One more thing.”

Despite having spoken so bravely as if ready to grant any request, Anna’s expression visibly darkened at the words “one more thing.” She wore a look that seemed to say, “So that’s why you gave me a platinum coin, huh?”

“What is it this time…?”

Rosetta stepped closer to Anna. Her turquoise eyes—once Lea’s—glowed with an eerie light.

* * *

When entering Montrosa Castle, what Rosetta had feared most was running into the admiral or seasoned navy officers. The east was a place where pirates and soldiers clashed daily, and in truth, Rosetta had lived nearly thirty years far removed from “civilized etiquette.” The most dangerous part of ingrained habits was how they surfaced unconsciously.

For instance, after mixing sugar into her tea, she would instinctively tap the spoon loudly against the teacup without thinking. After sneezing, she’d twist three fingers into a gesture to ward off evil spirits. When presented with a dish she’d never seen before at meals, she’d grow flustered, still feeling awkward about anything “noble.”

Above all, her accent still carried distinct eastern inflections and dialects—thickly so, to the point of being excessive for someone like “Lea Lunox,” who had lived between the palace of Valdemore and the capital.

Though Lady Valmone’s painstaking efforts had diluted it somewhat… the admiral, who had sent more pirates to the gallows than anyone since taking office, surely wouldn’t miss such a peculiar trait. Thus, their first shared meal had been like forcing a cat to drink bathwater. Fortunately, the admiral didn’t attend, and they rarely crossed paths afterward.

The admiral trained lightly with Cardier at the practice grounds every morning at an hour when ordinary nobles wouldn’t even stir. After finishing breakfast, he’d head straight to the naval headquarters and wouldn’t return until well past dinner. Apparently, the offer to use the guest wing freely wasn’t just empty words—Louise herself rarely visited her.

That was why such a thing could even be attempted.

“Rosetta. I’m off.”

Rosetta received Cardier’s greeting with only her face peeking out from under the blankets. He seemed extremely busy lately due to the annual joint naval training exercises.

“Should I ask them to bring up breakfast?”

“No… rather, how did the other matter go?”

“If you mean your swordsmanship instructor, I’m in the process of selecting someone.”

“Oh?”

“Yes. I can’t entrust it to just anyone.”

“I don’t mind who it is.”

“Don’t be impatient. At the very least, you should be able to start by next week.”

“That’d be good.”

She yawned widely.

“Should I call Anna?”

“No. I’ll sleep a bit more. Tell them not to bother me with meals or cleaning—I’ll keep sleeping.”

“Alright.”

Rosetta scowled at the sunlight streaming through the curtain slits and burrowed back under the covers. She heard Cardier chuckle softly as he drew the curtains shut. Soon, his footsteps retreated cautiously, and the door clicked shut with the faintest sound. Silence settled for several minutes.

Rosetta quietly lowered the blanket, holding her breath. Her eyes, which had feigned drowsiness moments ago, were now sharp and alert. After waiting until the footsteps had faded sufficiently, she swiftly kicked off the blankets and stepped lightly onto the floor. Peeking through the curtains, she saw Cardier giving a few last instructions to the steward in charge of the guest wing before climbing into a carriage.

“Milady.”

“Gah! You startled me!”

Startled by the sudden voice, Rosetta jumped in place. Anna stood crookedly in the doorway, holding a laundry basket. So absorbed had she been in watching outside, she hadn’t even heard the knock. Her usually gentle face now wore a distinctly mischievous expression.

“I really think this is a bad idea.”

“What I told you about?”

“…Are you even listening to me?”

Pouting, Anna nevertheless pulled out a maid’s uniform she’d hidden within the laundry pile. Rosetta flushed with excitement, hugging the clothes as if receiving a wrapped gift. Anna, shaking her head as if giving up, soaked a comb with water and gently untangled Rosetta’s knotted hair. Then, with the skill typical of maids, she braided it neatly and secured it with a pin.

“I’ll tie the ribbon at the back for you.”

“Alright.”

“It just feels so suspicious, that’s all.”

“What does?”

“This… going out like this. I really oppose it.”

Anna grumbled, casting uneasy glances. She kept urging Rosetta to instead go out as the young duchess, inspecting the local villagers—an offer impossible to accept given where she planned to go. She had no intention of marching into a den teeming with pirates, trailed by unnecessary escorts—especially navy men.

Rosetta dismissed Anna’s worries with a single shrug of her shoulders.

“The carriage?”

“I’ve had it prepared down below the cliff. Honestly, even that… Wouldn’t it be better to just tell the young marquis and go out properly with guards, rather than using a cargo wagon meant for servants?”

“Don’t worry. Ugh. Always nagging. If I’d known you’d nag this much, I’d have left you back at the Valdemore estate.”

“If not for me, who else would speak honestly to the young lady?”